Brexit was the big story in the UK this summer, but London Fashion Week designers didn't let that news stop them from showing optimistic collections full of bright gingham checks, novelty prints, distressed denim and more. Read on for our favorite spring 2017 trends from the London shows.

GINGHAM CHECKS

*Looks from L-R: Toga, Peter Pilotto, House of Holland, Simone Rocha and Molly Goddard. Photos: Imaxtree*

Gingham has become so widespread recently, it arguably shouldn't be considered a trend. But the imaginative new ways in which London designers have reworked classic picnic checks for spring earn a shoutout here.

PUFFY SLEEVES

*Looks from L-R: Burberry, Marques'Almeida, Simone Rocha, David Koma and Ashley Williams. Photos: Imaxtree*

The 80s are making major waves this season, and the decade has manifested its presence palpably with the inflation of sleeves. Ashley Williams and Emilio de la Morena were just a few of the London designers to show party frocks with puffy sleeves worthy of a John Hughes movie.

KHAKI COOL

*Looks from L-R: Burberry, Simone Rocha, Barbara Casasola, J.W. Anderson and Belstaff. Photos: Imaxtree*

Sure, every woman needs a great trench (hello, Burberry), but the full-on, utilitarian khaki looks we saw from London designers such as J. W. Anderson felt new, necessary and anything but standard issue.

CUT IT OUT

*Looks from L-R: Christopher Kane, Anya Hindmarch, David Koma,* *Versus* *and Erdem. Photos: Imaxtree*

However you slice it, interesting cutouts have been all over the spring runways. In London, Erdem balanced a feminine ruffled dress with a graphic scrappy neckline, while Christopher Kane strategically placed subtle slivers all over his shimmery finale dresses.

XL SLEEVES

*Looks from L-R: Ryan Lo, Pringle of Scotland, Joseph, Mother of Pearl and David Koma. Photos: Imaxtree*

Go long! As seen on London runways for Pringle and Joseph, the coolest sleeves again this season extend well past your fingertips. Meanwhile, Ryan Lo took that look to the extreme with sleeves that dropped past the models' knees.

DISTRESSED DENIM

*Looks from L-R: Marques'Almeida, Topshop Unique, Preen by Thornton Bregazzi and Versus. Photos: Imaxtree*

Denim is everywhere these days, but it's the young London brands (such as Faustine Steinmetz and Marques Almeida) who have pushed the fabric in new directions in recent years. This season, they showed ultra-distressed frayed styles that were pure rock 'n' roll.

NOVELTY FACTOR

*Looks from L-R: Christopher Kane, Mary Katrantzou, House of Holland, Peter Pilotto and J.W. Anderson. Photos: Imaxtree*

More so than in any other city during fashion month, London designers bring a beguiling dose of humor to their collections. This season, Henry Holland closed his show with a parade of models in novelty tees printed with cheeky phrases, including: "I'd pay millions for a night with [fellow London designer] Ashley Williams." Meanwhile, Christopher Kane whipped up a playful sweater featuring the Saint Christopher motif.

Written by: fashionista.com